SIGHTS AND SOUNDS KNOW_IT_ALL_ 024 VIRGINBLUE FLICK PICKS HANCOCK :: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman Sarcastic, cynical, apathetic and never too busy for a beer, Hancock (Smith) is a superhero the average male can relate to. His begrudging rescue attempts end in widespread destruction, but when he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey (Bateman), the antihero is in for a makeover, with Embrey’s beautiful wife (Theron) inspiring his inner evolution. THE SAVAGES :: Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman Siblings Wendy (Linney) and Jon Savage (Hoffman) are struggling to make their way through adult life, still bickering away like kids. When their estranged father Lenny (Philip Bosco) descends further into dementia, they wrestle with the question of how to care for a parent who they feel never loved them in this moving family drama. THE OTHER MR RUDD Australian singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd is on a journey that has taken him to the indigenous ancestral territories of Arnhem Land, to packed theatres around Europe, and onto a Hollywood film set. But, for Rudd, the most important product of his life’s journey is his latest album, Dark Shades of Blue. It’s his seventh record, and the first that he is genuinely happy with. “To achieve the same sound in the studio as we get live has been a case of trial and error over a number of albums,” he says. “Every time we go into the studio, there’s a new lesson learned and I think it has taken this long to get it where I want it.” Set for release in mid-August, Dark Shades of Blue is a polished offering that seduces the listener with the haunting other-worldliness that makes his music unique. Inspired by his love and respect for the indigenous culture, his mastery of the yidaki (the Yolngu people’s word for didgeridoo) resonates with audiences around the world – including the Yolngu people who recently adopted the Victorian-born musician into their nation. “Our Aboriginal culture is a gift to the whole world. People are so interested in it and want to know more about it. Sometimes it puzzles me that it’s not celebrated in our own backyard,” he says. “A lot of my music comes from this powerful country and the spirit of this land.” One such song is the touching Home – Rudd’s powerful calling out to his native land, while the guitar-driven Up In Flames lifts the tempo to thrilling results. Yet the multi-instrumentalist is at his best in the rhythmic Secrets as he paints a cautiously optimistic picture of our future. “Although there’s a lot of shit going down that frustrates people, there’s still a positive movement for change that’s growing ever so slowly,” he says about the song. “People want to see a better future for this planet – environmentally and from a humanitarian standpoint.” People will also see Rudd’s name on the soundtrack to Matthew McConaughey’s new flick, Surfer Dude. “Matt loves to chat and I had these long conversations with him. Then I just went into the studio and jammed live,” he says about the recording process. “It was interesting because he’s got a big entourage that were around, so it was busy, but it was cool. He’s a nice dude.” TO P D VD AL GREEN :: Lay It Down Legendary 1970’s soul singer Green has lost none of his majesty with 11 new tracks of rich-sounding contemporary soul. The smooth tunes will no doubt reveal his genius to a whole new generation. TO P TUNES DAN IN REAL LIFE :: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche On the surface, relationships expert Dan Burns (Carell) has all the answers. But underneath, his relationships – as a brother, son and single parent – are in various stages of disrepair. Then, at a family reunion, he meets the enchanting Marie (Binoche). Immediately smitten, he discovers that she’s his brother’s girlfriend. Cue a classic love triangle.